Tesla Model Y RWD 2026 Review: an entry-level trim with top-of-the-line technology

Tesla's cheapest Model Y, the 2026 RWD (Standard), just got a real-world test drive, and the results matter mostly for anyone weighing an EV purchase for efficiency and home energy use rather than driving feel. The version reviewed uses an LFP battery (a longer-lasting, more stable chemistry) rated for 463 km (288 miles) of range, and it hit that number almost exactly over 550 km of mixed driving. Charging from 10-80% took 24 minutes at a Supercharger. One detail worth noting for homeowners: this LFP pack supports V2X (vehicle-to-everything) discharge above 12 kW, meaning with the right home setup, the car can act as a roughly 60kWh backup battery for a house during an outage, without the degradation worries you'd have with other battery types.

Price is $39,990 in the US or $49,990 CAD, about $6,000 to $15,000 less than the Premium trim, but it cuts real equipment: a blacked-out panoramic roof, steel instead of aluminum hood, a weaker 7-speaker sound system, no towing package, and single-pane windows that let in more wind noise. Full self-driving assistance requires a $99-a-month subscription, and basic lane-centering (previously bundled free) is no longer included without it.

For homeowners specifically, the takeaway is the V2X backup-power capability. If you're considering an EV partly as a hedge against power outages, this feature is worth asking about, since it varies by trim and by where the vehicle is built (US-built versions use a different, non-LFP battery).